Record-keeping essential for Maryland farmers who harvest cover crop acreage

Annapolis, MD (March 3, 2011) – Maryland grain farmers who intend to harvest cover crop acreage entered into the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Cover Crop Program are reminded by federal and state agencies to keep good records.

The USDA Farm Service Agency will not penalize Maryland farmers who harvest crop acreage intended for cover crop but is classified as uninsured. Those producers will still be eligible for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE).  For other crops, federal crop insurance is required to benefit from SURE payments.

“If a farmer is going to harvest their cover crop acreage, it is essential that they stay in close contact with the Farm Service Agency and their crop insurance agent,” said Secretary of Agriculture Earl F. Hance.

To ensure that protection by crop insurance on insured small grains is not jeopardized, farmers who harvest non-insured cover crop acreage, must keep separate records of the harvested production from the uninsured acreage.